Hand crank centrifuge
setup for centrifuge demo, towels, clamp

 

Code Number: 1D52.37

Demo Title: Centrifuge

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Central Forces 

Area of Study: Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics

Equipment: 

Hand crank centrifuge, C-clamp, balls, small towels.

Procedure:

Clamp the centrifuge to the edge of a table so that the crank can turn freely.  Place objects of equal mass in each cup.  Spin as desired. 

To simulate the spin cycle of a washing machine, wet two of the small towels, put a ball in the center of each, and inset a towel into each ring on the centrifuge.  Wet the towels throughly, and then spin the centrifuge.  Put a towel on the floor to capture most of the water, and make sure you put on a lab coat before doing the demo. 

References:

  • Emily Grace, Karissa D. Carlson, Joshua Hardy, Luke Jenness, Blake Johnson, Travis Grover, "Bicycle-Powered Centrifuge: A Multidisciplinary Physics Lab Project to Engage Kinesiology Students", TPT, Vol. 62, #8, Nov. 2024, p. 665.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Hand Centrifuge", AJP, Vol. 80, #10, Oct. 2012, p. 912.
  • Mm-7, Mm-4: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics. 
1D52.37 - Centrifuge- Spin Cycle
1D52.37 - Centrifuge